If you're not sure where exactly to start, however, try any (or all!) Tip: Pick an activity where you can actually talk to each other. I want to help you turn your feeling of overwhelm into a feeling of opportunity and excitement. The Internet has become a huge universe of information and you are going to need to access the right tools in order to find a destination to the information that you seek. And wherever you go, don’t be afraid to talk people! But another benefit of college is the fact that you are given so many opportunities to make the challenge of making new friends a little bit easier. Online universities have various methods of learning and teaching, but at UoPeople, the pedagogical model requires that students collaborate. Thomas is fond of saying that college is a lot like a four year TED or SXSW conference. And while you might be taking classes in these subjects, having the freedom to do what you wish—instead of what's assigned—might make you more productive in unexpected ways. Method 1 of 4: Taking Initiative. Without even realizing it, you can get stuck in a bubble of sorts during your time in college. “Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.”. You’ll probably have pizza parties, karaoke nights, outings for ice cream, and so on. If you're heading to college for the first time, chances are you only know a few people, if that. This route is not for everyone, but browse information on your school’s website or talk to someone who’s already in a fraternity or sorority to see if it’s a good fit for you. Assuming that you spend 8 hours a night getting excellent sleep, that leaves you with 112 waking hours. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our, Start or Join an Academics Club Oriented Toward Your Major, Check in With the Student Activities Association, Run for Election in a Student Club or Organization, 10 Things You Should Know Before You Start College, Online Friendship Sites Help Women Make New Friends, 9 Tips for Making the Most of a College Visit, 17 Creative Ways to Celebrate a College Birthday, How to Help Your Homeschooled Kid Find Friends, needing some kind of mentoring or tutoring, M.Ed., Higher Education Administration, Harvard University, B.A., English and Comparative Literary Studies, Occidental College. Get a concentrated dose of focus for your ears. You'll likely end up having a great learning opportunity while also meeting other student researchers who share your interests. ", "In the age of information technology and innovation, University of the People is showing us the way". “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! How to Make Friends in College: A Comprehensive Guide. Initial getting-to-know-you conversations are great, but spending quality time with other students is how you’ll build friendships. Colleges always host events! At the end of the day, the best advice I can give for making friends is to make it a priority. She is the only one, who day after day has texted me, come to my room, etc. Manage your money, stay focused, and get things done. Whether it’s hanging out in the common area doing homework, brushing your teeth in the community bathroom, or staging an impromptu hallway Nerf battle at 2 am on a Tuesday, it’s a fertile ground for friendships to develop. Some students leave behind religious communities that are a big part of their pre-college lives. For example, University of the People, a 100% online and tuition-free accredited American university, uses Yammer. Whether it’s your first semester or your final semester, this article will show you how to make new friends and deepen existing friendships in college and beyond. Mingle in the Dorms. In addition to the physical benefits and the stress relief, working out can be a great way to meet people. I have three "friends". Ladies, you should never attend college for an MRS degree. So the reason you had the friends you had was quite simply that you spent lots of time repeatedly interacting with them. For example, when I spent seven weeks living on campus as a summer research assistant, I had the chance to make several new friends. If you feel like you don't have any friends, it can be tempting to just go to class, maybe go to work, and then head home. Whether you're an experienced poet or someone who would like to get into painting, joining a club of fellow artists can do wonders for your soul. Just because the things you tried didn't work out doesn't mean the next thing you try won't work, either. And, of course, text, call, and FaceTime regularly. When in doubt, dance it out with your girls. Students can often feel like there's nothing going on or that whatever is going on doesn't apply to them. Over 220,000 awesome students are learning how to dominate their classes, get more done, and land the jobs they want — and you should too. Make your own event. Most online universities use online community portals to create a place for communication. 5. Learn how to build habits that last and become the you you've always wanted to be. It makes sense, then, to be deliberate in choosing friends. Sure, at super-competitive schools this might be a challenge, but you'll never know until you try. By joining clubs, groups, or teams that align with your passions, you’ll meet people that have common interests and are easy to befriend. You’re in a new place surrounded by literally thousands of people you’ve never met before. Everyone’s experience is different, so we talked to current college students to find out how they really made friends. These are great places to strike up a conversation. At least once a week, challenge yourself to go to a campus event you know nothing about. They’re also, well, informal, so if things get awkward it’s easy to just leave. In these situations, it’ll be a common progression that these familiar faces find their way into your circle of friends. One-on-one time. Instead of allowing this tension to keep you from doing anything, step outside of your comfort zone and learn something new. As far as where to meet friends on a college campus, plus the different ways to do so, here are a few good ideas to try: Do you like to play sports? By joining these groups and keeping up with the news and your peers, you can start conversations with people. Most definitely. Options can range from playing basketball with neighborhood kids to volunteering in a reading program. ", "UoPeople opened an opportunity for me that didn’t otherwise exist. To take weak connections to the next level, you’ll have to schedule some one-on-one time to get to know each other. Join clubs that interest you. In fact, your college years are probably the easiest time to form friendships. You can talk to the cute guy on the couch without yelling over obnoxious music and worrying about being sat out by some poor drunk soul who can’t stand up to save their life. Accept and offer invitations, and you’ll be on your way to creating fun memories and lasting friendships. The campus was nearly empty, and that made it feel a lot more manageable. You were obviously drawn more to some people than others. You can simply ask people where they’re from, what they’re majoring in, or what classes they’re taking. Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. You can mill about, enjoying yourself and your friends, and meet someone interesting. You joined a club or two, looked at joining a sorority/fraternity, but it's now two months later and nothing's clicking. Advice: Branch out from your initial friend group. Campus organizations might be the best place to make friends. Still, the influence of where you spent the most time and whom you spent it with is strong. Or you love to cook? Join a club. 6. Since most students don't have a ton of money, they'll most likely welcome this opportunity to bring things they don't wear and trade them for things they will. It took me far too much of college to realize the power of this approach. No longer will you wonder aimlessly around a loud, sloppy party, looking for the cute guy that could actually hold an intelligent conversation with you. Think back to when you were in high school and the friendships you've maintained from there. This can take different forms, but the most obvious is any Facebook groups associated with your class or school. Even things as simple as, “So what sort of research are you doing this summer?” or “How did you find this internship?” can be the openings of meaningful relationships. If you want to meet some new people, applying to be involved with orientation is a smart place to start. Go to campus events. Just have fun with it and see who comes your way. Whether you're writing a blog or giving campus tours, helping out at the admissions office can be a fun and unique way to connect with other students and form friendships. You may be worried that moving away to college or shifting your schedule may affect your ability to stay close with friends you’ve grown up with. Second installment of The Internship Experience, a weekly series that details my experiences interning at The Principal Financial group during summer 2011. Organizing a volunteer project can be a great way to be the change you wish to see in the world while also meeting like-minded people in the process. I’ve broken this next part into three sections to make it easier to navigate and review later. Tell her you like her and would like to be more than friends. If you find your first friend group unsatisfying, here are some things to consider: 1. Head outside for some fresh air, some sunshine, and hopefully some conversations with others looking to do the same. Especially if you’re more introverted and find social interactions draining. Basically, this is everywhere that’s not class. 5 Surprising Things About Living in Dorms, Check out our list of schools with the best college athletics, Fraternities and Sororities: The Pros and Cons, Take Control of Time: Tips For Crushing Online Classes, Thank You, Vets & Their Kids: Get Easy Cash for College, Here’s How You Actually Make Friends in College. An internship not only looks amazing on resumes, but it also creates a new place to meet new people. save hide report. So, amidst hardcore studying and catching up on some much needed sleep, why not get in on some of the action? Additionally, if you choose to study online, the art of making friends may take different shapes than that of an on-campus experience. Turn the potentially boring function into a lot of fun by making the best of it. Whether it's picking up trash for Earth Day or collecting food donations for Thanksgiving, there's always a reason to help out others, no matter the time of year. For college freshmen, one of the easiest ways to make friends is in the dorm. Caveat: Pick your campus organizations carefully. But you do need to have a genuine interest in representing the needs of your fellow students and serving as a proactive, helpful voice. If you’re not in class, then odds are you’re in your dorm. The cute guy on the couch is also often a friend of the friend throwing the kickback. It requires no money, no fancy dress or heels, and no traveling. Consider starting a club that is social in nature but targeted at students in your particular program. share. If you make cute knitted hats or funky artwork, look into selling it on the quad. Sometimes, though, if you can find a group of folks with whom you really connect, you can form friendships along the way. And all that collaboration is sure to lead to some friendships along the way. Introduce yourself, be friendly to everyone you meet, and be open to participating in social events. Besides the time management and obvious monetary benefits, campus jobs are a cool way to meet people. If things are going well, then you may be ready to take things to the “next level,” which we’ll cover in the following section. That’s not to say you shouldn’t join more structured clubs (I was in several musical groups throughout college), but it can make it a little trickier to make friends than less structured organizations such as a philosophy discussion group or a running club.